LOI kick-offs delayed by five minutes due to referee protests

League of Ireland referees across the Premier and First Division delayed kick-offs for five minutes in protest at the FAI's league department.

Match officials threatened strike action ahead of tonight's round of fixtures and kick-offs across the board were delayed for five minutes.

Referee safety is among the concerns, though pay, as had been earlier suggested, is not one of the issues at the heart of the strike action.

Referee representatives had been seeking a meeting with the FAI since January, but the association has not responded to their request.

FAI referee manager Ian Stokes left his post at the end of February and the FAI is believed to have invited the referees in for a meeting next week to discuss their concerns.

RTÉ soccer correspondent @corktod outlines hy there will be a delay to kick-off tonight as referees across the Premier and First Division protest over a number of issues, notably safety concerns